US Bridges

Rustic Road over Cache LA Poudre River

Fair

Larimer County, Colorado · Just S of CR14 · Structure no. LRRUSTICROAD1

Built
1959
66 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected March 2025
Type
Stringer/Multi-beam or Girder
Steel
Length
72 ft
2 main spans
Daily traffic
81
2023 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Rustic Road over Cache LA Poudre River is a steel stringer/multi-beam or girder carrying Rustic Road over Cache LA Poudre River in Larimer County, Colorado. It was built in 1959, so it is 66 years old, older than the Colorado average of 42.2 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 5 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

It carries about 81 vehicles a day, roughly 19% of them trucks, projected to reach 101 by 2043. The structure is 72 ft (22 m) long and 14 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 98.8 mi (159 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesRustic Road
CrossesCache LA Poudre River
LocationJust S of CR14
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyLarimer County
StateColorado
Coordinates40.69766, -105.59033
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Substructure5 FairAll primary structural elements are sound but may have minor section loss, cracking, spalling or scour.
Channel and channel protection7 GoodSome minor problems.
Last inspectionMarch 2025
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusOpen, no restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation5: Somewhat better than minimum adequacy to tolerate being left in place as is
Deck geometry3: Basically intolerable, requiring high priority of corrective action
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment8: Equal to present desirable criteria
Operating rating41.2 US tons
Inventory rating24.7 US tons

Structure

Structure typeStringer/Multi-beam or Girder
MaterialSteel
DeckWood or timber
Main spans2
Design loadUnknown
Structure length72 ft (22 m)
Longest span37 ft (11.2 m)
Deck width14 ft (4.3 m)
Roadway width11 ft (3.4 m)
Vertical clearance over deckUnrestricted

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic81 (2023)
Projected traffic101 by 2043
Trucks19%
Lanes on structure1
Traffic directionOne-lane bridge for two-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed98.8 mi (159 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusNot eligible for the National Register of Historic Places
Work proposedReplacement because of substandard load-carrying capacity or roadway geometry
Estimated improvement cost$810,000 (2019 estimate)
NavigationNot applicable (no waterway)

Frequently asked questions

When was Rustic Road over Cache LA Poudre River built?

It was built in 1959, making it 66 years old in 2025.

What condition is Rustic Road over Cache LA Poudre River in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in March 2025.

How much traffic does Rustic Road over Cache LA Poudre River carry?

About 81 vehicles per day (2023 count), of which roughly 19% are trucks.

How long is Rustic Road over Cache LA Poudre River?

The structure is 72 ft (22 m) long with a longest span of 37 ft (11.2 m) and a deck 14 ft wide.

Who owns Rustic Road over Cache LA Poudre River?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.